Ornithogalum plant named ‘Damascus’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jacq. named ‘Damascus’ originated as a controlled cross between the commercial cultivar  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jacq. ‘Chesapeake Snowflake’ and an unnamed  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jacq. cultivar. The cultivar ‘Damascus’ has R.H.S. 155 A (white group) tepals at maturity and is distinguished from other similar cultivars of which the inventor is aware by its erect racemes, wide leaves that lay flat and its suitability for growth in pots.

Botanical classification: Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq. ‘Damascus’.

Variety denomination: ‘Damascus’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Lilaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq. ‘Damascus’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the commercial variety Ornithogalum thyrsoides ‘Chesapeake Snowflake’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,200) and an unnamed Ornithogalum thyrsoides. ‘Chesapeake Snowflake’ was the seed parent. ‘Chesapeake Snowflake’ is the progeny of the commercial variety ‘Bok Bay’.

The new variety ‘Damascus’ is differentiated from its seed parent and other commercial varieties known to the inventor as shown in the table below.

TABLE 1 ‘Chesapeake Snowflake’ ‘Chesapeake New Variety New Variety U.S. Plant Starlight’ ‘Damascus’ ‘Bethlehem’ Pat. U.S. Plant Ser. No.: Ser. No.: No. 13,200 Pat. 12/315,280 12/315,215 (seed parent) No. 12,850 Rachis/ 40 cm 43 cm 20-30 cm 55-60 cm Raceme height Rachis color R.H.S. 146B R.H.S. 146A Unknown Unknown Reflexed Yes Yes Unknown Unknown leaves Leaf color R.H.S. 147B R.H.S. 146A R.H.S. 143B R.H.S. 143B Floret 65 mm 70 mm 50-60 mm 35-40 mm diameter Tepal height 28 mm 36 mm 20-25 mm 20 mm Tepal Color R.H.S. 155A R.H.S. 155C R.H.S. R.H.S. 155A-D 155A-D Tepal Spot R.H.S. 152B R.H.S. 152A R.H.S. 147A R.H.S. 152A Color

The new variety was first noticed, because of its erect, but relatively short racemes and its smaller flowers.

The new cultivar ‘Damascus’ has been asexually reproduced through three generations under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

‘Damascus’ is distinguished from other Ornithogalum thyrsoides varieties of which the inventor is aware by its relatively short, upright racemes, its less upright leaves, its suitability for growth in pots and its relatively smaller flowers.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in a nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘Damascus’ remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the new variety showing its form, upright growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and non-pigmented tepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the inflorescence of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the inflorescence of the new variety, showing opened florets, and opening florets.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the inflorescence of the new variety, showing opened florets, and opening florets.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a number of inflorescences of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a view of the new variety.

FIG. 7 is a view of the base of the new variety.

FIG. 8 is a view of the upper portion of multiple inflorescences of the new variety.

FIG. 9 is a close-up, side view of florets of the new variety.

FIG. 10 is a close-up, side view of florets of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures were grown in 6″ pots and were approximately 7 months old. The plants were started in the green house for 20 to 25 weeks and then move outside.

‘Damascus’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross.     -   -   Parents.—Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq. ‘Chesapeake             Snowflake’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,200) and an unnanmed             Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq.         -   Botanic classification.—Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq.             ‘Damascus’. -   Form: Spreading basal leaves with upright inflorescences on tall     rachis. A typical plant with a mature inflorescence that is ready     for sale is approximately 40 cm high when grown in a 6″ pot with     appropriate soil amendments. Growth: Upright rachis with spreading     leaves. Inflorescence is large and showy. -   Rachis: The rachis is upright and glaucous. Its color is R.H.S. 146     B (yellow-green group) (younger) to R.H.S. 147 B (yellow-green     group). Diameter: 7 mm. The length of the rachis to the first floret     and bract pair is variable and ranges from 15 cm to 25 cm. -   Foliage: Usually five leaves surround each rachis on a mature plant     ready for commercial sale. Leaves are whorled at base of stem.     -   -   Shape of leaf.—Fleshy, varying from somewhat channeled to             flat, lanceolate. Margins are entire. Apex is acute.         -   Texture.—Glaucescent.         -   Color.—Mature leaves are R.H.S. 147 B (yellow-green group)             on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Large leaves are 27 cm             long and 5 cm wide.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Corymbose racemes. Indeterminate. Approximately 100 to 125     individual flowers (florets) per inflorescence on pedicels that     elongate as the florets opens, and on average are as long as 50 mm     for mature florets. Flowers do not produce a fragrance. Buds are     predominately green—R.H.S. 146 B (yellow-green group, 1.2-1.5 cm     tall and have diameter of 8 to 10 mm. The rachis for the     inflorescence is strong and upright. The pedicels are predominately     green—R.H.S. 146 B (yellow-green group) at maturity and globrous. -   Size of inflorescence: Large. A typical inflorescence shown in the     figures can be 17.5 cm high. -   Shape: Basal florets opening first with pedicels that elongate that     give the raceme a corymbose appearance as the inflorescence ages. -   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   -   -   General.—The florets at the base of the inflorescence open             first, and open more and more as the inflorescence ages.             Florets are perfect and complete. Perianth is not keeled.             Perianth can be hightly reflexed. Each floret is associated             with a bract that can be as high as 50 mm and is same color             as leaves—R.H.S. 147 B (yellow-green group). The bracts are             lanecolate with narrowly acute apexes and are approximately             7 mm wide at their base. Perianth: There are 6 ovate tepals             that are spotted at their base—R.H.S. 152 B (yellow-green             group), but are predominately white on both their abaxial             and adaxial surfaces—R.H.S. 155 A (white group) with the             mid-vein showing on the abaxial surface—R.H.S. 145 A             (yellow-green group). Floret diameter: 65 mm. Tepals of             mature florets are typically 28 mm high, 18 mm wide, 4 mm             wide at their attachment, and the spotted base is             approximately 5 mm high and extends the width of the tepal             at the base. Apex shape of the tepal is abruptly acuminate.         -   Stamens.—6 stamens (two sets of 3). Pollen is R.H.S. 14 A             (yellow-orange group). Plant produces abundant pollen.             Filament is flattened with alternate stamens having enlarged             translucent wings. Filament is 3 mm wide at base and 10 mm             high. Filaments with wings are 3 mm at their widest point.             Anther is 2 mm high and basally attached. Filament is R.H.S.             155 A (white group. Anther is R.H.S. 146 B (yellow-green             group) before opening to reveal pollen.         -   Stigma.—Generally, a three-pronged stigma on one pistil per             floret. The style is 3 mm long. The stigma is approximately             2 mm long. Style and stigma are R.H.S. 155 A (white group).         -   Ovary.—The ovary is three-celled with axile placentae. The             base of the ovary is R.H.S. 152 A (yellow-green group) and             the top of the ovary is R.H.S. 166 A (greyed-orange group).             The ovary is 6 mm high and has a diameter of 7 mm. 

1. A new and distinct Ornithogalum plant named ‘Damascus’ substantially as herein shown and described. 